Abiding in God

Abiding in the Shadow of God - Psalm 91

11:00 AM

 


Psalm 91, James 1:11

We have two red maple trees in our front yard. Not just beautiful to look at, they provide a strong fortress for all who dwell within their thick leaves and branches. And on a hot August afternoon, the cooling shade they offer is a blessing of refuge for all who rest in their shadows. When the temperature of life gets too hot to handle and we’re in desperate need of relief, we too have a shadow to run to. A place of comfort where we can rest and shelter in safety. The shadow of Almighty God.


This world is full of troubles. And sadly many seek shelter through alcohol, drugs, food, relationships, or money. But these worldly sanctuaries are nothing more than paper houses that blow away with the first wind of danger. It is only when we abide in God will we find a fortress so secure, no evil can penetrate it. For He is our perfect security and refuge. His faithfulness is an impenetrable wall and our shield against all enemies. And in His presence alone can we dwell in perfect safety.


This beautiful assurance we have from God isn’t  because we are good and deserve it, but because He is. And from that goodness the Lord promises to answer every plea, every call, and every cry. He will never forsake nor abandon us. Nor will He fall short or fail to show up. He alone is worthy of our complete trust. The Lord loves us so much, He sends His angels to guard and protect us. And because of our love for Him, in times of trouble God will not only rescue us, but set us securely in a high place of honor.


As Valentines Day approaches and love is the focus, there is no greater love to be celebrated than the one God has for us all. Even though we don’t deserve it, each day our Lord showers us with His grace, love, and blessings. Not because we are especially lovable, but because God is love! And it is in that great love where He demonstrates daily His amazing lovingkindness, and truth. If not for His example, we would never know what a true perfect love looks like! 


Pause and Reflect -

What does it mean to dwell in the shelter of the Most High? In what way is God your refuge? What difficulties are you facing now that you can trust God to help you with? What will you do differently in the face of these difficulties if you are trusting in God?


Let’s Pray Together - 

Our dearest Father in heaven above, hallowed be Thy name. Father we thank you that no matter what circumstances invade our lives, there is no evil or harm that the Enemy can inflict except as You permit for our good and Your glory. We thank You that as Your children our times are in Your hands. And we pray that we may draw closer to You, day by day, and abide under the shadow of your protective wings of love. Father help us to live a life of faith and trust in You as our Refuge, our Fortress and the God in Whom we trust implicitly. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen.


Don't' forget to head over to our Facebook group at, https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion. Also check out our public Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083156569388 and give us a like!


I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.


💖 Lisa

God

A New Revelation Coming From His Names {Psalm 91}

12:00 AM

Scripture Reading: Psalm 91

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “It’s not supposed to be this way.”? Godly friends, family members, even those on the front line of our faith are being hit with huge battles. Cancer. Debilitating illnesses. Drug addiction. Suicide…

Perhaps it’s our perspective that’s all wrong.

The Psalms are where I always seem to head when I’m blindsided by another trial and Psalms 91 is my favorite go-to Psalm that I pray often. I wrote on the seven promises found in just the last few verses of Psalm 91 if you’d like to read more on this awesome Psalm, but today I want to share a new revelation that has come to me recently found in the very first two verses,

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!” Ps 91:1-2

The revelation comes from the names of God listed here. When you understand the meaning behind each name, I think then you too may want to head here to meet with God when trials come and linger a while.

His first name, The Most High, is the Hebrew word Elyon. It suggests a Supreme Being, one who is elevated above all things. The name speaks of God's majesty, sovereignty, and pre-eminence.

It was first used in Abraham's encounter with the priest/king Melchizedek, "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High." Melchizedek gives us a picture of Christ in several ways, and it is fitting that this story contains the first use of this name of God in Scripture.
’Elyōn is in other places is firmly identified with Yahweh, as in 2 Samuel 22.14:The Lord (yhwh) thundered from heaven, and the Most High (ʿelyōn) uttered his voice.  ’Elyōn is in other places is firmly identified with Yahweh, as in 2 Samuel 22.14:The Lord (yhwh) thundered from heaven, and the Most High (ʿelyōn) uttered his voice. (wikipedia) 
Therefore verse 1 speaks of the protection for the one who 'dwells in the shelter of the Most High,' and should cause us to wonder where do we dwell when trials come? Do we find ourselves dwelling in doubts? Anger? Discouragement? In thinking of what could have been? Or do we dwell in the shelter of the Most High God, and His promises to protect and keep us?

The second name, the Almighty, is translated Shaddai. 
Shaddai has many meanings, but it as you may imagine, it primarily suggests a mighty, powerful God who is strong beyond our imagination and is more than capable to supply our every need. The term "El Shaddai" may mean "God of the mountains" or ‘God of the wilderness.” The perfect one to run to run to during those wilderness times or the mountains sit before us! The root word "shadad" (שדד) means to plunder, overpower, or make desolate. This would give Shaddai the meaning of "destroyer". (Wikipedia)

He is the God who parted the sea and controls all of creation. His name tells us that there is no need that can't be met, that He is the God of the impossible.

The third name, the LORD, is a personal name for God, which was revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 6:2). This personal name for God was considered so sacred in Judaism, that the original pronunciation is uncertain, only that it contained the letters YHWH, (JHVH in Latin).  It has been translated as Yahweh, Jehovah, and more often as the LORD (in all caps).  

What is so neat about this name is that it depicts a God who longs for us to know Him on a deep, personal level!  Imagine for a moment a God, who is the all-powerful, knows the number of hairs on our heads, longs for us to know Him as intimately as a Friend.  Isn’t that amazing? I still struggle to comprehend that at times.

 Finally, the fourth name, my God, is Elohim. This name first appears at the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." It means the One who is first, or the Creator, and the name is actually plural. Therefore, God is referenced in Genesis 1:1 as a creator who is one, yet plural (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
Now, combining these four names for God, used here in just the first two verses, we can see that the Psalmist who wrote this Psalm is proclaiming that the God in whom he places His faith in is Supreme, the same God who created all things; the Triune God, who is the God of the mountains and seas and all that's within them! Who always was and always will be, yet longs for us to know Him so intimately in order to speak to Him as our Friend. 
His ways are unsearchable, yet He’s right here waiting for us to run to Him for shelter and protection, for in His shadow we’ll find strength, comfort, peace and rest.


Blessings!
sue

Protection

Resting In His Shadow {Psalm 91}

12:00 AM


O to have beautiful bronzed skin that tans to a golden brown in the sun! Unfortunately, I could faithfully sunbath all summer long and I’d never have that gorgeous tan I covet! My skin only turns different shades of red, and a few of my granddaughters are even fairer than I am.

A few years ago our whole family took a summer vacation to the beach.  Unfortunately, we hadn’t planned ahead very well and came with only one tiny beach umbrella for 11 people!

It was late in the day when I happened to look down at our fairest grandchild and noticed that her skin was beginning to burn in spite of all the sunscreen we had repeatedly lathered on her. She was having such a great time playing in the sand with her cousin that I hated to call her over to sit under the umbrella, so I took a beach towel, wrapped it behind me like a cape, held the two top corners in my hands, stretched out my arm and stood there between her and the sun, to shield her from anymore harmful rays. I didn’t think much about it at the time, for I was enjoying watching them play together, but sometime later as I began to read,

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
the picture of what I had done that moment came flooding back, and I knew God had reminded me of that moment to demonstrate that He does the same for us.

 Can you picture your heavenly Father standing over you, protecting you, because He wants you to continue enjoying what you’re doing? We may not always sense His protection, and probably forget He’s there at times, or even wonder if He's left us to fend for ourselves in some tough situations, but He’s there! He has to be because of His character!  He can't forget us if we belong to Him, for I know His love is far greater than my love for my granddaughter, though I can’t imagine what that must look like.

Psalm 91 speaks mostly about spiritual warfare and it happens to be my favorite Psalm for it also speaks of His care for us. The best way to remember it is by remembering: when in need call 9-1-1. No matter what difficulties we’ll face today, God is a place of refuge we can run to, and a shelter from harm.

The more we break down this Psalm the more precious it becomes! For example the word “dwell” used in verse 1 actually means, “to take up permanent residence.” Here, He’s reminding us to stay in His presence, for it’s a permanent place. His Word says if we do that, we will “rest” in the very "shadow” of Almighty God!

If you look up the definition of, “shadow” you might just find, a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface. (You must know I had to smile when I saw that) We are all pretty familiar with the effects from the sun. It can produce burning heat, harm our skin and wipe out our energy. The harm diminishes when we move into the shadows, OR the shadow comes to stand between us and the sun. I love knowing He comes to shelter us from pain; be it physical or verbal, His shadow diminishes what is actually felt in its intensity. Just knowing He's in control brings such a comfort and peace.

This entire chapter of Psalm 91 is filled with His goodness and the power of God, and offers great reminders that He is faithfully at work on behalf of those who love Him.  But it's the end of this Psalm that I don't want you to miss, for He gives us 8 reasons why we have no reason to fear:

“Because he loves me, says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

Because we love Him, He will,

-  Rescue us (deliver)
-  Protect us
-  Answer us (respond)
-  Be with us in trouble
-  Deliver us and bring us to safety
-  Honor us
-  Satisfy us with long life (abundance life according to John 10:10)
-  Show us His salvation."

How amazing is that? We are blessed for seeking Him, and choosing to walk in His ways. In the midst of this dark world, I can’t imagine living without Him. The truth is, this world has been growing darker since sin first entered it, yet God is here to remind us that we can walk, work, even play assured that He will always be there to remind us that we're not alone.

And though He never tells us that we won't face hard times, He does say He'll be with us through it to protect, and help us make it to the other side. We may never fully know this side of heaven, how much He has sheltered us from in this life, but I look forward to finding out, don’t you?

 Until then, I know He can be trusted to stand over me and be my Shield and yours.

Blessings!

sue

Almighty

Scripture Saturday ~ Trusting Him

12:00 AM

Saturday, May 19, 2018



Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verses are Psalm 91:1, 2...

 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him. (NLT)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!